Staff Accountant & Payroll Specialist for Small Businesses

NCACPA; New Bern (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

NCACPA is seeking a dynamic Staff Accountant to manage day-to-day client bookkeeping and tax work for a portfolio of small-business clients in North Carolina.

You will own payroll processing, prepare and review personal and business tax returns, and assist with year-end W-2s and 1099s, while helping ensure accuracy, timeliness, and confidentiality in a growing CPA practice. Collaboration with CPA teams and adherence to firm procedures support your growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance, or an associate degree with equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of public accounting or bookkeeping experience, including payroll and tax return preparation.
• Working knowledge of federal and North Carolina individual and business tax rules.
• Experience preparing W-2s and 1099s and reconciling them to payroll and vendor records.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage many deadlines at once.
• Clear written and verbal communication with clients and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Record and code transactions, including bank and credit card activity, for assigned clients.
• Reconcile bank, credit card, loan, and payroll liability accounts monthly.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly financial statements and resolve variances.
• Maintain accurate general ledgers, accruals, depreciation schedules, and fixed asset records.
• Prepare year-end adjusting entries and workpapers for tax preparation.
• Process payroll for clients on weekly, biweekly, or semi-monthly cycles.
• Calculate and remit federal and North Carolina payroll tax deposits.
• Prepare and file quarterly payroll returns (Form 941 and NC-5 / NC-5Q) and state unemployment reports.
• Maintain employee records, new-hire reporting, and withholding changes.
• Prepare individual (Form 1040) returns with associated schedules and North Carolina returns.
• Prepare business returns: Form 1120-S, 1065, 1120, and Schedule C, with state filings.
• Review returns prepared by other staff for accuracy, completeness, and consistency with source documents.
• Identify deductions, credits, and planning opportunities, and flag issues for the CPA.
• Respond to client questions and IRS or NC Department of Revenue notices, with CPA oversight.
• Track estimated tax payments and extensions.
• Prepare and file W-2 and W-3 forms for client employers by the January 31 deadline.
• Collect vendor W-9s, determine 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC reporting, and prepare and file Forms 1099 and 1096.
• Reconcile payroll records to W-2s and Form 941 totals before filing.
• Issue corrections (W-2c, corrected 1099s) when needed.
• Meet client deadlines and keep the firm's practice management system current.
• Maintain client confidentiality and follow the firm's data security procedures.
• Document processes and assist in training new staff.

Skills

Bookkeeping

Payroll

Tax preparation

Attention to detail

Client communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance

Associate degree with equivalent experience

Job description

NCACPA is seeking a dynamic Staff Accountant to manage day-to-day client bookkeeping and tax work for a portfolio of small-business clients in North Carolina.

You will own payroll processing, prepare and review personal and business tax returns, and assist with year-end W-2s and 1099s, while helping ensure accuracy, timeliness, and confidentiality in a growing CPA practice. Collaboration with CPA teams and adherence to firm procedures support your growth.